Thailand crypto betting changes under the pressure of enforcing, and Solana payments have become the focus

Online betting is a legal grey area in Thailand, but the government is on the hunt to prevent illegal gambling rings and offshore betting in 2026.

More recent efforts to crack down have focused on mass-scale digital interference, including blocking hundreds of thousands of gambling-related URLs and takedowns of online gambling networks. The Thai government has also improved its cooperation with technology platforms so that it can diminish the availability of illegal gambling resources.

It is Still Illegal to Gamble in Thailand

Most gambling is prohibited by Thai law, the only exceptions being the state lottery and horse racing. Online gambling, such as sports and casino-style gambling, is also illegal, but many gamblers can access offshore casinos.

However, in the past, enforcement has been more focused on operators and facilitators instead of single bettors. The government has emphasised big networks and payment intermediaries.

Thailand eyes private-run ‘lotto-style’ lottery to boost jackpots
Thai lottery tickets | Photo via BigC Studio

Switching Payment Types to Crypto

As gambling-related transactions have gotten increasingly monitored, some users have purportedly shifted to crypto payments to transfer money into offshore bank accounts.

The standard banking system may raise a red flag or even prevent transfers related to gambling services, so digital assets as a form of transfer are gaining more and more interest.

The most popular cryptocurrencies used in the past were Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, in times of congestion, these networks might charge more or take longer to confirm transactions.

More recently, low-fee networks like Solana have been talked about in the wider crypto circles due to their quick settlement time and low transaction fees, especially when it comes to situations where they may be required to make repeated transfers.

Thailand crypto betting changes under the pressure of enforcing, and Solana payments have become the focus | News by Thaiger

The Differences in Platform and User Research

The methods of deposits and withdrawals differ greatly on crypto betting websites. Some convert digital assets to fiat currency immediately upon depositing them, but others maintain native crypto balances through the betting process.

In turn, this has made users resort to the use of crypto news sites such as CCN to learn more about crypto platforms. Searches for the best Solana sports betting sites have gone up within crypto betting circles, and users seek to find platforms to allow them to make direct SOL deposits, receive faster withdrawals, and have more explicit licensing agreements.

Review sites normally evaluate aspects like:

  • The nature of SOL deposits, whether native or converted.
  • The rate of withdrawal and charges.
  • Licensing jurisdiction and regulatory compliance.

Thailand crypto betting changes under the pressure of enforcing, and Solana payments have become the focus | News by Thaiger

Gambling is not legal in Thailand, but the government does not pursue individual gamers; rather, they pursue operators, payment processors and cross-platform betting systems.

With increased enforcement becoming more high-tech, Solana is likely to continue to be a part of the bigger debate on access to offshore betting.

Adoptions are varied, with a definite shift towards quicker, less expensive digital payments where traditional finance is limited.

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Mitch Connor

Mitch is a Bangkok resident, having relocated from Southern California, via Florida in 2022. He studied journalism before dropping out of college to teach English in South America. After returning to the US, he spent 4 years working for various online publishers before moving to Thailand.